Improvement in time-locks



1R". l Ill l IHF I Y lnl "Ill MTI m WUI ...Hl ,lrlllll M E JIHHM: www r P! @Wflf m IEEE: l.. .IIF l 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

Patented Aug. I3, 1878.

Time-Look.

E. STEWART.

ff No. 206,98L

2 Sheets-Sheet 2. E. STEWART.

TimelLook.

10.206,981. Patented Aug.13,1878.

'lulmgnum W TNE sEs INVENToRf Y a ATTORNEYS )QN/www PETERS PMDTUUTHOGRAPMER. WASHINGTuN. D. C,

UNITED yS'rnfrns.IEirrnNr OFFICE.

EDVARD STEWART, OF FORT MADISON, IOWA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO SAMUEL ATLEE AND JACOB O. BLACKBURN.

IMPROVEMENT IN TI ME-LOCKS.

Specification formingpart of Letters Patent No. 206,981, dated August 13, ISTS; application filed May 20, 1378.

To all lwlio'm #may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD STEWART, ot

Fort Madison, county of Lee, and `State oi Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Time-Locks; and I do hereby declare the bllowingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make `and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms apart of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in time-locks for safeand vault doors.

The object of the invention is to provide a timelock of such construction that it may be set to release the lock-bolt of the time-lock at any predetermined hour of the day, and retain the same in an unlocked position for any desired time, `and automatically move the lock-bolt into positionfor locking the safe at the expiration ofthe time at which the lock had been set to remain unlocked. Y

A further object of `my invention' is to provide a lLime1ock of such construction that it may be readily adj usted to automatically nnlock at any predetermined hour of each successive day or of any particular day or days of the week and to this end my invention consists, first, in a time-1ock, in the combination, with a travelingpin or projection, motion being imparted thereto by suitable clock mechanism, of a lock-bolt and alift-bar interposed between the bolt andprojection, whereby the latter will ac t on the lift-bar and actuate the lock-bolt at any predetermined hour of the day, and retain the' same in an unlocked position for any desired length of time, and automatically move the lock-bolt into a locked position at the expiration of the time at which the lock had been set to remain unlocked.

My invention further consists, in a time-lock, in the combination, with a traveling pin or projection, motion being imparted thereto by suitable clock mechanism, of a lock-bolt provided with adjustable abutments mounted on a movable plate, the several parts being constructed and arranged in such a manner that the lock may be adjusted to automatically unlock every successive day or any yparticular day or days -ot the week;

My invention further consist-s inthe Vseveral details of construction and combinations of parts, as will-hereinafter be described,and

pointed out inthe claims. i

my improved time-lock. Fig. 2 is a plan view yof the lock, witha portion removed tolllustrate the `mechanism more clearly for operat ing the bolt. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the toothed wheel, endless chain, lifting-bar, and projection `or pin on- `the chain, Fig. 4 is an enlarged View ot the'toothcd wheel provided with a series of adjustable abutments. Fig. 5 is a rear view of one ofthe chain-wheels; Fig. 6, a front view of the same, and Fig. 7 a vertical section of the chain-wheel. p

A A' represent two chronometer time-pieces of any approved form of construction. On the center posts or studs B' of each movement is placed a chain or sprocketlwheel, C, whichl are provided with sprockets or spurs a, located between the flanges b. Chain-wheel or drum AC is placed loosely upon a sleeve, D, and scoured by means of sp1ingdi`sk,"c, having an elongated slot, d, `by means of which the disk is secured within the groove d -ormed in one end of the sleeve.' To the opposite end of the sleeve is rigidly secured a ratchet-wheel, E, and a pawl, e, pivoted to the wheel C, operates to lock the ratchet therewith when the-latter is turned in one direction and allow the ratchet to revolve in the opposite direction without imparting motion to the wheel O. To the ratchet or to the sleeve is rigidly secured a toothed wheel, F, which engages with the pinion f of the clock-movement.

It will thus be observed that the clockanovement, through the pinion f, operates to turn the chain-wheels C in one direction through the lnedium of the toothed wheels F, ratchetwheels E, and pawls c, while the chain-wheels C may be freely turned in the opposite direction without disturbing the regular operation of the clock-movement.

Around the chain-wheels C is placed au end-i less chain, G, the links of which engage with the spurs or sprockets e, and thus prevent any slipping of the chain on its wheels, and by means of said wheels the chain is carried around in one direction, while it may be freely moved in the other direction without stopping the clock-movements. u

As two clock-movements are employed, there will be very little danger of a lock-out owing to the stoppage of the clock-movements, as, in case one of the clocks should run down or stop from any other cause, the other clock could continue running and carry the chain in the same manner as if both clocks were running.

To the endless chain G is secured a proj ection, g, formed with an oval or inclined engaging-face, g. To projection g is attached a stud, H, provided with a pointer, 'HQ the latter arranged to move over the graduated indicating-plate I, upon which is marked the twenty-four hours of the day. The time-movements are so constructed and regulated that pointer H will make a complete circuit of the plate I once in every twenty-four hours. Endless chain is also provided with a flange, h, which projects laterally therefrom, for a purpose hereinafter described.

J represents a lock-bolt, pivoted at t'. K is a toothed wheel, 1supported by a pin, j, which extends through the short end of the bolt J. XVheel K is prevented from accidental movement by means of a spring, k, interposed between the bolt and the wheel, said spring offering sufficient resistance to prevent any movement of the toothed wheel unless force is directly applied thereto.

L is a plate, located between the chainwheels C and attached to the front plates of the clock-movements. PlateLisprovidedwith flanges, extending outwardly therefrom, and serving as supports for the endless chain.

Vheel K is provided with seven teeth, I, and when the lock-bolt J of the lock is raised, and prevents the retraction ofthe bolt-work of the safe? or vault door, one of the teeth l will extend below the upper surface of the endless chain, and hence, when the flange h reaches the tooth I, it will strike and carry it forward through an arc equal to one-seventh of the wheel K, and thus bringthe following tooth l in position to be moved by the flange h of the chain on its succeeding revolution.

From the foregoing itwill be observed that the toothed wheel is moved forward a tooth for each complete circuit of the endless chain, the -time for which is once in every twentyfour hours.

yOn the face of the toothed wheel K is secured a circular plate, M, provided with radial openings m, within which are placed the sliding rods or abutments m1. Each abutment is provided with a pin, my', which projects through an elongated opening, m, inthe plate M.

Spring-levers N, having elongated slots u outer ends, by being toward or from the center of the plate, operate to impart a `radial movement to the abutments. When the abutments are moved outward from the periphery position by means of a pin, a2, attached to the end of the spring-lever, entering a depression, n3, in the face of the circular plate.

A circular plate, T, is attached to the face of plate M, and lettered as shown, to denote the several days of a week, a letter being located in line with each one of the adjustable abutments.

O is a lift-bar, one end of which is provided with a vertical slot, o, through which extends a stud, ol, while the opposite end is retained with a guide, o3. This bar is prevented from longitudinal movement, but may have a free vertical movement. At one end of the bar there is secured or formed, as a part thereof, a curved shoe, PI

The outer end of the dog-bolt is upheld by a spring, Q, and the movement of same limited by means of guide-plate Q', having anyelongated slot, q, formed therein.

The frontplate, R, is secured in place by means of screws entering the studs R', on which the chain-wheels revolve, and also by said chain-wheels.

The operation of my improved time-lock is as follows: We will suppose that it is desired to open and close the safe or vault door at the hours ofk S a. m. and 3 p. m., respectively, dl'lri'ng every day of the week with the exception of Sunday, during which day the lock shall remain intact. The several adjustthe one denoted by the letter S, that indicates Sunday, are all forced outwardly from the center of the plate M and secured in such position. As the endless chain revolves from left to right the projection thereon strikes and raises the lift-bar at 8 oclock, and the liftbarstrikes the abutment and raises the short end of the pivoted 'lock-bolt, depressing the opposite end', and allows the tongue-piece on the string-bar or other portion of the bolt-work of the safe or vault to'be retracted and the door opened. Vhen the projection on'the end! less chain shall have traveled seven hours, or reached the figure 3, it will allow the lift-bar and short end of the pivoted lock-bolt to drop, while the outer end is raised by means of a spring and'thus the lock-bolt is brought in line with the tongue-piece of the bolt-work, thereby securely fastening the door. As the chain continues its movement the flange thereon will strike one fof the teeth l of the revolving toothed wheel and move the latter forward one tooth, thus causing the abutment indicating Tuesday to be placed in proper position to be struck by the lift-bar at S oclock Tuesdaymorning. The lock operates in the manner above stated until Sunday. Then the lift- 'formcd therein are oivoted at nl and their of the circular plate M they are held vin such screws secured to posts S, located betweenv able abutments, Vwith'the single exception of bar israised, it fails to strike the abutment, as the latter is not adjusted to'open the lock, and the clock keeps ou running without at'- fectingthe position of the lock-bolt.

Instead of adjusting the mechanism so that the lock will automatically unlock six successive days of the week by simply adjusting every alternate abutment, the safe can be unlocked only on alternate days of the week.

From the foregoing it will be observed that thelockis so constructed and arranged that it will operate during every day or on any particulariday or days of the week desired. The lock may be readily set to open or close at any desired time. It' the parts are so constructed and arranged that ordinarily the lock shall open at S4 oclock inthe morning, or, in `other words, so that the projection on the endless chain will raise the lift-bar when the projection arrives at the figure S, the lock may be setto open in any desired number of hours by setting` the pointer that connects with the said projection on the chainas, for instance, it is desired that the safe shall remain locked but onel hour, the pointer is set at the gure 7 next the figure 8, at which the lock is opened. If twenty-three hours time is desired before the safe shall be unlocked, the pointer is set at the ligure 9 on the left-hand portion of the dial-plate, and the abutment is raised out of contact with the lift-bar. Again, the lock may be set to `lock instantly after the door is closed or any desired time thereafter. When the outer end of thelock-bolt is depressed beneath the tongue-piece on the bolt-work by forcing the chain around until the projection which operates the lift-bar has gone beyond the end of said bar, then, when the bolt-work is thrownforward into the jamb of the door, the tongue-piece will allow the loek-bolt of the time-lock to rise and assume its locked position. The lock may be set to lock the safe or vault at` any desired time after the door has been closed. Instead of employing a cam shaped projection on the chain for raising the lift-bar, au` anti-friction roller might be used in lieu thereof and serve the same purpose.

Instead of adjusting the endless chain by mea-ns of a handle attached to the chain,.a portion ofthe plate located over the chainwheels may be` removed, and a handle attached directly to one of said chain-wheels. Again, the lift-bar may he of any desired form, and may be made adjustable in length, so that the lock may be retained in an unlocked position for any time desired by changing the length of the lift-bar. a

`It is evident that my improvement may be embodied in locks of various forms of construction without avoiding the essence of my invention, and henceI do not limit myself to the exact construction shown and described;

but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a time-lock for safe or vault doors,

the combination, with suitable clock mechanism and a traveling `pin uactuated thereby, of a lock-bolt and a setting mechanism for each day of the week, permanently attached to and forming a part of the time-lock, and V arranged and adapted to be adjusted to actuate the lock-bolt each successive day, or any particular day, or on alternate days of the week, substantially as set forth.

2. In a time-lock, the combination, with clock mechanism, ot' au endless chain provided with a device for imparting motion to the lock-bolt of the time-lock, substantially as set forth.

3. In a time-lock, the combination, with two clock-movements, of two chain or sprocket wheels and an endless chaimthe parts being constructed and arranged in such a manner that the chain will be moved by one or both the clocks, and may be freely moved in a direction opposite to the movement of the clockarbors Without disturbing the clock meehanism, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the center arbor' of the time-movement of a time-lock, of a sleeve having a toothed wheel and ratchet wheel rigidly secured thereto, of achain or sprocket wheel provided witha pawl, and secured upon the sleeve by means of a yielding disk which engages a groove formed in the end of said sleeve, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with two clockdnovements provided with chain or sprocket wheels and an endless chain, of a pointer attached to the chain, and an indicating plate or dial having the hours of the day marked thereon, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination, with a traveling pin or projection, movement being imparted thereto by. suitable clock-work, of a lock-bolt provided with a revolving toothed wheel, a dcvice for imparting an intermittent movement to said toothed wheel, one or more adjustable abutments for regulating the movement of the lock-bolt, and a lift-bar which is actuated by the traveling pin, substantially as set forth.

7. In a time lock, the combination, with two clock-movements, a lock-bolt, and one or more adjustable abutments engaging there`www with, a movable plate for changing the relative position offsaid abutments, of a traveling projection for moving the lock-bolt through the medium of said abutments, and a ange orequivalent device for moving the plate to which the abutments are secured, substair tially as set forth.

8. The combination, with the lock-bolt of a time-lock provided with adjustable abutments, of a traveling chain provided with a projection, and a lift-bar adapted to be raised by said projection atany desired time, and cause said bar to strike one of the abutments connected with the bolt-lock and actuate t-he latter, substantially as set forth.

9. In a time-lock, the combination, with suitable clock mechanism, of a lock-bolt provided with a revolving toothed Wheel having In testimony that I claim the foregoing I a series of radially-arranged adjustable abuthave hereunto set my hand this 6th day of ments attached to a plate secured to said May7 1878.

Wheel7 substantially as set forth.

10. In a time-lock, the combination, with EDVARD STEWART. v suitable clock mechanism, of a look-bolt provided with one or more adjustable abutlnents NVitnesses: and slotted spring-levers for securing them J. C. BLACKBURN, 4 in the desired position7 substantially as set It. J. SMITH. I

forth. 

